Driving in Portugal vs Tunisia: Key Safety Differences
Embarking on a journey in Portugal or Tunisia? Understanding the nuances of each nation's road practices is vital for ensuring a secure trip. From lane regulations to speed limits and emergency contacts, this comparison highlights essential distinctions, such as Portugal's bus lanes and variable speed limits, versus Tunisia's unique traffic laws. Stay informed for a safer adventure!
Lanes
| Portugal | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited. | Not typically permitted. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
portugal:
Prohibited.
tunisia:
Not typically permitted.
Bus Lanes: Presence
portugal:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
tunisia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
portugal:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
portugal:
Exclusive for bicycles.
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
portugal:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
tunisia:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
portugal:
N/A
tunisia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
portugal:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
tunisia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Portugal | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible | Yes |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
portugal:
80 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
portugal:
70 km/h
tunisia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
portugal:
120 km/h
tunisia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
portugal:
100 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
portugal:
90 km/h
tunisia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
portugal:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
tunisia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
portugal:
Possible
tunisia:
Yes
Signals
| Portugal | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Portugal | Not typically used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; symbols are standard | Arabic and French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
tunisia:
Not typically used
Traffic Signs: Language
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
tunisia:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
tunisia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Portugal | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit | Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted |
U- Turns Allowed
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
tunisia:
Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted
Documentation
| Portugal | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no additional permit required | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required | Mandatory; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
tunisia:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
tunisia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
portugal:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
portugal:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Portugal | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
portugal:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
tunisia:
Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
portugal:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
tunisia:
Moderate use
Alcohol
| Portugal | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Common; checkpoints used broadly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; varies by offense |
Limits: Professional Drivers
portugal:
0.02%
tunisia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
portugal:
0.02%
tunisia:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
Enforcement: Random Checks
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
tunisia:
Common; checkpoints used broadly
Enforcement: Fines
portugal:
Varies; can be substantial
tunisia:
Substantial; varies by offense
Emergency Services
| Portugal | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 197 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local authorities | 197 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACP | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
portugal:
112
tunisia:
197
Contact: Traffic Police
portugal:
Contact local authorities
tunisia:
197
Contact: Roadside Assistance
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
tunisia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
portugal:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
portugal:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Portugal | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license | Varies; DT 40 to DT 500 |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €120 to €600 | DT 40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €240 to €1,200 | DT 60 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €120 to €600 | Varies; DT 60 to DT 200 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
tunisia:
Varies; DT 40 to DT 500
Common Fines: Seat Belts
portugal:
€120 to €600
tunisia:
DT 40
Common Fines: Phone Use
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
tunisia:
DT 60
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
portugal:
€120 to €600
tunisia:
Varies; DT 60 to DT 200
Payment: On The Spot
portugal:
Possible
tunisia:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
portugal:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
tunisia:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay